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Suffolk school board votes to suspend local equity policy and ratify Title VI certification amid federal directive
Summary
After public comment and divided debate, the Suffolk City School Board voted 4-3 to suspend school board policy 1-5.1:2 (education equity defined) and ratified the superintendent’s Title VI certification to comply with a U.S. Department of Education directive; opponents said the move risks programs for historically disadvantaged students.
The Suffolk City School Board voted to suspend school board policy section 1-5.1:2 and ratified a Title VI certification after contentious public comment and a divided board vote.
The measure, moved by Board member Slingluff and approved by a 4-3 roll call, suspends the school division’s local education equity policy identified in board materials as “1-5.1:2.” The vote followed public comment about a federal directive and a letter from the U.S. Department of Education that speakers said would require school divisions to pause certain diversity, equity and inclusion activities or risk losing federal funds.
Supporters of keeping the policy in place warned of immediate harms to students. “This is bigger than policy. It’s about our people, our children, the souls of our schools,” parent Tonya Hughes said in public comment, adding that Suffolk had previously entered a consent order with the U.S. Department of Justice aimed at desegregation. Valerie Boykin, president of the NAACP Suffolk Branch, urged the board to consider the potential financial impact and civil-rights implications before changing course.
Those who supported the suspension cited the federal letter and the risk to funding. Superintendent Dr. Gordon told the board legal counsel and staff had advised that the division’s options were constrained by recent federal guidance and litigation; school attorneys had recommended action to align the division with the U.S. Department of Education’s certification process.
Board members who opposed the suspension said removing the equity policy reduces tools the division uses to identify and respond to disproportionality and to provide supports targeted to students who need them. “If it wasn’t necessary, we would have never put it into writing,” Board member Riddick said during debate. Other board members said they were sympathetic to both the legal and the financial pressures on the district.
Superintendent Gordon and the board’s attorney said the suspension is an emergency compliance step and that the division will review services and programming over the summer to determine adjustments and next steps, depending on legal developments and any further guidance from the state or federal agencies.
The resolution passed with the following recorded votes: Dr. Brittingham — yes; Board member Fields — no; Board member Jenkins — no; Board member Riddick — no; Board member Slingluff — yes; Vice Chair McGee — yes; Board Chair Howell — yes.
The board and staff said they will report back with more detailed plans for how programs and supports will be administered while the suspension is in effect and as legal proceedings evolve.
